Went to the revamped Taste this year and will not return. I used to go every year usually two days. This year prices were outragous. There are far better things to do in the Twin Cities for the Prices they charge. Skip it!!!

Went to the revamped Taste this year and will not return. I used to go every year usually two days. This year prices were outragous. There are far better things to do in the Twin Cities for the Prices they charge. Skip it!!!

After being a "Taste goer" for over 20 years I can firmly say that this arrogant self centered jerk "Feris" and crew have plunged a dagger in to the heart of the nations second largest food festival. I NEVER expected a business man with the supposed pedigree of Mr. Feris to refer to Taste Goers as needing and and I quote... "needing and attitude adjustment" see that statement here:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/06/taste-mn/

If you were not aware Mr. Feris you manage the Taste; you are NOT the Taste. My pockets were thin before I even got a beer or a bite to eat! Vendors were openly complaining in their booths about the changes and how much money they were going to lose on this debauchery of a festival. This is not the Minnesota Music festival this is a "food" based festival and this year food has taken a backseat, WAY back! My suggestion from one consumer to another is DO NOT provide these people with the opportunity to succeed next year. This festival has taken it's last breath with Minnesotans. I have taken the liberty of taking a straw poll of taste goers as they exited for the day from the event both on the 3rd and the 4th. The result is a RESOUNDING.... BOOOOO! We interviewed 1,785 people and only 134 people said they had a good time. BUT even 98 of those people felt the cover charge was what prevented them from enjoying the festival to it's fullest. After spending $120.00 just to get my family in I spent another $100.00 on food that didn't even fill our hunger! I would of been miles ahead just staying home and grilling for the entire neighborhood for the same amount of money.

After being a "Taste goer" for over 20 years I can firmly say that this arrogant self centered jerk "Feris" and crew have plunged a dagger in to the heart of the nations second largest food festival. I NEVER expected a business man with the supposed pedigree of Mr. Feris to refer to Taste Goers as needing and and I quote... "needing and attitude adjustment" see that statement here:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/06/taste-mn/

If you were not aware Mr. Feris you manage the Taste; you are NOT the Taste. My pockets were thin before I even got a beer or a bite to eat! Vendors were openly complaining in their booths about the changes and how much money they were going to lose on this debauchery of a festival. This is not the Minnesota Music festival this is a "food" based festival and this year food has taken a backseat, WAY back! My suggestion from one consumer to another is DO NOT provide these people with the opportunity to succeed next year. This festival has taken it's last breath with Minnesotans. I have taken the liberty of taking a straw poll of taste goers as they exited for the day from the event both on the 3rd and the 4th. The result is a RESOUNDING.... BOOOOO! We interviewed 1,785 people and only 134 people said they had a good time. BUT even 98 of those people felt the cover charge was what prevented them from enjoying the festival to it's fullest. After spending $120.00 just to get my family in I spent another $100.00 on food that didn't even fill our hunger! I would of been miles ahead just staying home and grilling for the entire neighborhood for the same amount of money.

My girlfriend and I went there for our day off of work and to be honest I would have rather been working. For a 2 hour drive and 5$ just for a beer, $6 for the cheapest food, and nothing, besides watching the music which wasn't even playing the whole time, to do for adults. It was the biggest waist of time we could have done. If it is the same next year SKIP IT!!

My girlfriend and I went there for our day off of work and to be honest I would have rather been working. For a 2 hour drive and 5$ just for a beer, $6 for the cheapest food, and nothing, besides watching the music which wasn't even playing the whole time, to do for adults. It was the biggest waist of time we could have done. If it is the same next year SKIP IT!!

Man! What a disappointment. My wife and I were looking for something fun to do on the 3rd of July because we had the day off. We live in rural MN so a trip to the city is a treat for us. We found Taste of Minnesota on the web and after seeing the promotional page decided to pack-up the kids and make the 2 hour drive. The web site promoted several known bands and a variety of food amid the ambiance of Harriet Island Park, down town St Paul, and the Mississippi river walk. Our first surprise was the sign stating that tickets (coupons) must be bought to purchase food, beverage, and the amusement rides. Strips of eight tickets cost $5. Additionally, a $3 wrist band must be purchased and attached to your wrist to purchase beer. We expected food typical and native to Minnesota. What we found was food you would find at any carnival in country; hamburgers, hot dogs, gyros, corn dogs, ice cream, etc. None of them exceptional in quality, and furthermore, the prices were high; small hamburger $5, Brat $5, gyro $8.75, 12 oz bottle water $3.75, beer $5. The only food found typical of Minnesota was the walleye on a stick, which was a 3 oz piece of walleye for $5. If we were experiencing unique, fine food I would not have minded the prices. The rides were low caliber carnival rides that cost $5 per ride. There were no performers or entertainment other than a DJ, and the two bands that played simultaneously on two different stages.I drove two hours for this and after experiencing, would not drive a block! What a rip-off St Paul!

Man! What a disappointment. My wife and I were looking for something fun to do on the 3rd of July because we had the day off. We live in rural MN so a trip to the city is a treat for us. We found Taste of Minnesota on the web and after seeing the promotional page decided to pack-up the kids and make the 2 hour drive. The web site promoted several known bands and a variety of food amid the ambiance of Harriet Island Park, down town St Paul, and the Mississippi river walk. Our first surprise was the sign stating that tickets (coupons) must be bought to purchase food, beverage, and the amusement rides. Strips of eight tickets cost $5. Additionally, a $3 wrist band must be purchased and attached to your wrist to purchase beer. We expected food typical and native to Minnesota. What we found was food you would find at any carnival in country; hamburgers, hot dogs, gyros, corn dogs, ice cream, etc. None of them exceptional in quality, and furthermore, the prices were high; small hamburger $5, Brat $5, gyro $8.75, 12 oz bottle water $3.75, beer $5. The only food found typical of Minnesota was the walleye on a stick, which was a 3 oz piece of walleye for $5. If we were experiencing unique, fine food I would not have minded the prices. The rides were low caliber carnival rides that cost $5 per ride. There were no performers or entertainment other than a DJ, and the two bands that played simultaneously on two different stages.I drove two hours for this and after experiencing, would not drive a block! What a rip-off St Paul!

So it's the 4th of July and I decided to go see some fireworks. Taking the advice of a friend I went to the Taste of Minnesota to view them. So this is great right. I get some food, a nice show, and everything is gonna work out. No..it didn't

The Taste of Minnesota is the biggest rip-off festival Minnesota has to offer. I mean I've been to the State Fair, Valley Fair, Big Island Rendezvous, but never have I experienced a level of price gouging for sub-par food/rides like I did at the taste of MN. They truely are in a league of their own.

Tickets are sold in packs of 8 for $5, no substitutions, no refunds, and no bonuses for buying in bulk. The funny thing is, ticket sellers don't tell you that the shops close when the fireworks start, yet they are more than willing to take your money regardless if your tickets become worthless 3 minutes after you buy them. So those who come for just the fireworks will have to arrive about an hour or more ahead of time just to wade through all the people, and lines to have any chance of getting something to eat and that's if they haven't run out of food which was rampant.
Also watching dozens of other customers with the same problem of having tickets that no vendor will trade for food doesn't make you feel like the event coordinators give a crap about their cliental.
Though seeing that the food ticket price is average 8 tickets to get anything decent, it's obvious the second you walk in that their intent is to bleed you dry.

So if you're looking to get ripped off and watch the fireworks with a bunch of drunks then yes the Taste of Minnesota is for you. If you actually want a good experience I suggest finding a secluded spot where the fireworks can be seen, get some friends, family and your own food and have a Happy 4th.

So it's the 4th of July and I decided to go see some fireworks. Taking the advice of a friend I went to the Taste of Minnesota to view them. So this is great right. I get some food, a nice show, and everything is gonna work out. No..it didn't

The Taste of Minnesota is the biggest rip-off festival Minnesota has to offer. I mean I've been to the State Fair, Valley Fair, Big Island Rendezvous, but never have I experienced a level of price gouging for sub-par food/rides like I did at the taste of MN. They truely are in a league of their own.

Tickets are sold in packs of 8 for $5, no substitutions, no refunds, and no bonuses for buying in bulk. The funny thing is, ticket sellers don't tell you that the shops close when the fireworks start, yet they are more than willing to take your money regardless if your tickets become worthless 3 minutes after you buy them. So those who come for just the fireworks will have to arrive about an hour or more ahead of time just to wade through all the people, and lines to have any chance of getting something to eat and that's if they haven't run out of food which was rampant.
Also watching dozens of other customers with the same problem of having tickets that no vendor will trade for food doesn't make you feel like the event coordinators give a crap about their cliental.
Though seeing that the food ticket price is average 8 tickets to get anything decent, it's obvious the second you walk in that their intent is to bleed you dry.

So if you're looking to get ripped off and watch the fireworks with a bunch of drunks then yes the Taste of Minnesota is for you. If you actually want a good experience I suggest finding a secluded spot where the fireworks can be seen, get some friends, family and your own food and have a Happy 4th.

Great place to visit during the 4th of July weekend. They have great food, but it can be expensive. You have to buy tickets to pay for the food and the food usually costs alot of tickets. They have free local music at several different spots and usually one pretty big act. If you have good weather, it is a great place to bring the family. They also have great fireworks for the 4th. Come for the music, not for the pricey food.

Great place to visit during the 4th of July weekend. They have great food, but it can be expensive. You have to buy tickets to pay for the food and the food usually costs alot of tickets. They have free local music at several different spots and usually one pretty big act. If you have good weather, it is a great place to bring the family. They also have great fireworks for the 4th. Come for the music, not for the pricey food.

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